Poland against Russian court order to hand over consulate building as bilateral tension grows

WARSAW, Poland – Poland opposes as unlawful a Russian court's order to vacate the country's consulate building in St. Petersburg.

Tension is growing between Poland and Russia over Moscow's role in the conflict in Ukraine. The eviction order also calls for Poland to pay $1 million in rent.

The Polish Embassy in Moscow said Wednesday that diplomatic premises have immunity. Poland and Russia are in negotiations concerning the status of diplomatic buildings in each other's territory. The embassy said until these issues are resolved, the consulate can't be the subject of any court order.

Russia is using a number of diplomatic-status buildings in Poland rent-free.